Mumbai: The benchmark BSE Sensex gained 173 points to 34,473.43 in early trade on Wednesday, rising for the second straight session on back of positive macroeconomic data and sustained buying by domestic institutional investors (DIIs) amid appreciating rupee.

Besides, a mixed trend in other Asian markets following positive lead from Wall Street buoyed sentiment here.

The 30-share barometer rose 172.96 points, or 0.50 per cent, to 34,473.43 in opening session. All sectoral indices were trading in the green, with realty, metal, capital goods and oil and gas rising up to 1.65 per cent.

The NSE index Nifty climbed 41.50 points, or 0.39 per cent, to 10,581.25.

Brokers said buying picked up on positive economic data.

Industrial output grew by 7.1 per cent in December and retail inflation eased in January to 5.07 per cent.

Among other Asian markets, Hong Kong's Hang Seng was up 0.73 per cent and Singapore edged up 0.05 per cent, while Japan's Nikkei fell 0.64 per cent and China's Shanghai Composite index slipped 0.32 per cent.

The US Dow Jones Industrial Average, however, closed 0.16 per cent higher in Tuesday's trade.